Forgotten Songs

What it is

Angel Place Birdcages, known locally as Forgotten Songs, is an outdoor art installation located in Sydney's central business district. The artwork commemorates the bird species that once inhabited the Tank Stream valley before European settlement. Created by artist Michael Thomas Hill, the installation consists of numerous empty birdcages suspended above the pedestrian laneway. The work serves as both a visual spectacle and an environmental meditation on urban development and habitat loss. It stands as a meaningful Sydney visitor destination within the documented city scope, though production records indicate no exact city POI pool match exists.

Checked 2026-08-26

What's inside

The installation features multiple birdcages of varying sizes hanging overhead along Angel Place. Each cage is accompanied by recordings of birdcalls representing species that were once common to the area. The audio component plays throughout the day, creating an atmospheric soundscape within the urban environment. The cages themselves are constructed from metal and are deliberately left empty, symbolising the absence of the birds they represent. The combination of visual and auditory elements produces a distinctive sensory experience for pedestrians passing through this laneway in Sydney's historic core.

Checked 2026-08-26

How long to spend

Visitors typically spend approximately ten to twenty minutes experiencing the installation. The duration depends on individual engagement with both the visual and audio components. Some visitors walk through quickly while pausing briefly to look upward, while others remain longer to listen to the changing birdcalls and observe the arrangement of cages from different angles. The installation covers a relatively compact laneway area, so extensive time is not required. Photography and contemplation may extend the visit for those particularly interested in public art or environmental themes.

Checked 2026-08-26

Season and crowds

The installation is accessible at all hours as an outdoor public artwork in a pedestrian thoroughfare. Visitors may experience it during daylight for clearer views of the cage structures or in evening hours when ambient city lighting creates different atmospheric conditions. The birdcall audio operates during daytime and early evening periods. Operator-confirmed hours are Not recorded pending review. Weather conditions should be considered as the experience is entirely exposed to the elements. The laneway maintains regular pedestrian traffic during standard business hours and weekday lunch periods.

Checked 2026-08-26

Tickets

No admission fee is required to view or experience the Angel Place Birdcages installation. As a public artwork situated in a pedestrian laneway, access is unrestricted and free of charge to all visitors. There are no ticketed entry points, guided tour requirements, or reservation systems associated with the installation itself. Prices for any adjacent commercial establishments or surrounding attractions are Not recorded pending review. Visitors should be prepared for standard urban costs including parking fees in the central business district if arriving by private vehicle.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting there

Angel Place is located within Sydney's central business district, accessible by multiple transport options. The installation lies between George Street and Pitt Street in the city core. Wynyard railway station and Martin Place railway station are both within reasonable walking distance. Numerous bus services operate along nearby George Street and Pitt Street. The location is readily walkable from major city landmarks including Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. Visitors familiar with Sydney's central street grid will find the laneway positioned among established commercial and cultural precincts in the historic city centre.

Checked 2026-08-26

What to watch out for

The installation occupies a functioning pedestrian laneway with regular foot traffic. Visitors should remain aware of surrounding pedestrians and not obstruct passage while observing or photographing the cages. The birdcages are suspended overhead at heights that do not impede walking but visitors should avoid attempting to touch or disturb the artwork. The laneway surface may become slippery in wet weather. Standard urban awareness is advisable regarding personal belongings in busy city areas. The audio component may be less audible during periods of heavy rain or surrounding construction noise.

Checked 2026-08-26

Photography

The Angel Place Birdcages installation offers distinctive photographic opportunities due to its unusual overhead arrangement and atmospheric qualities. The contrast between the historic cages and modern city architecture creates compelling visual compositions. Photographers may capture the installation from various angles along the laneway length. Lighting conditions vary significantly between morning, midday, and evening periods. Wide-angle lenses accommodate the full span of cages overhead. Tripod use may be impractical due to pedestrian traffic. The artwork's public accessibility permits photography without restriction, though consideration for other passersby remains essential in this confined urban space.

Checked 2026-08-26

Where it is

• 20 min

  5 min walk

  Sydney Tower Eye

  • Must see
  • Viewpoint
• 2 hours

  6 min walk

  Settlement

  • Notable
  • Nightlife venue
• 45 min

  6 min walk

  Sewage Pumping Station No 13

  • High
  • Historic monument

External links

• View on Wikidata