Google Maps Street View sails through the Sydney Opera House

Believe it or not, I have never been to the opera. Truth be told, I am more of a sports and chicken wings kind of guy, but I am not opposed to more sophisticated things. I've been to my fair share of Broadway shows, and eaten at fancy restaurants with cloth napkins, but the opportunity to attend the opera has never surfaced.

Thanks to Google Maps Street View, however, I can now experience the Sydney Opera House, including its famous "sails", from the comfort of my computer. Yes, you can now take a virtual tour as if you are really there!

"Perched on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon. Visited by millions of people each year, this architectural masterpiece can now be explored right from your Android or iPhone in Google Maps with the launch of the Sydney Opera House on Street View", says Cynthia Wei, Street View Program Manager Asia Pacific.

Wei further says, "today's new Street View collection is part of the opening of the Sydney Opera House on the Google Cultural Institute. To access this imagery, search for Sydney Opera House in Google Maps for mobile (available for both Android and iOS), and select the Street View option to enter your own 360-degree tour. We hope you enjoy exploring this Heritage listed site with Street View".

In some ways, experiencing the Sydney Opera House with Street View is actually superior to being there in person. How, you ask? Google has been granted access to some places that the public usually doesn't, such as the Joan Sutherland Theatre (seen here). Of course, I'd still rather visit Australia and take it all in myself.

Check out the super-cool 360 degree interactive video below. It is very impressive.

Will you take the Street View tour of the Sydney Opera House? Tell me in the comments.