The most photographed destination in Australia prohibits the use of the photographic hardware.

The Sydney Opera House has banned the use of “selfie sticks” inside the iconic landmark’s main performance spaces. It joins a number of other famous culture destinations around the world that have instituted similar embargos on the photographic hardware, which allows the user to capture a wider field of view on their camera-phone.

The Opera House joins the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, and the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Australia in Canberra in banning the selfie stick, with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, just across the water from the Opera House by Circular Quay, managing use of selfie sticks on a case by case basis. London’s National Gallery, MOMA in New York and all 19 of America’s Smithsonian museums and galleries have also prohibited the use of the selfie stick in recent years.

However far from discouraging photography in general, the Opera House management are keen for visitors to take photos in the foyers and outside of the four principal venues, and are even happy for patrons to take selfies during the intervals of productions, but only so long as they are arms length. Photography of any kind is still banned during performances.

Sydney Opera House staff may have their work cut out for them in their battle to curb the use of the selfie stick. The Opera House is the most instagrammed location in Australia, and was ranked 13th top location in the world for taking selfies in a recent poll.