Will my horse be cremated alone, or with other animals?

Yes, always. We operate a strict 'one horse, one journey' policy. Cremation packages (Artisan Legacy Collection, Heirloom Timber Tribute, Open Paddock Package) include a signed Certificate of Guaranteed Individual Cremation confirming your horse was never mixed.

How quickly can you collect my horse?

Same-day or next-day collection wherever possible. Call 0493 814 474 any time — our hours are 6am–6pm, and we're reachable for urgent matters around the clock. Leave a message any time and we'll reply quickly.

Do you really come to my property? How far do you travel?

Yes, always. Alby or one of his team personally travels to your property. We cover most of NSW and South East Queensland, operating from bases in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane.

Will I get my horse's ashes back? How long does it take?

For cremation packages, yes — returned in your chosen urn or scatter tube. Standard return is within 3–4 weeks. We'll keep you informed throughout, and if you need them sooner, please let us know.

What's the difference between your packages?

The main differences are whether your horse is cremated, how the ashes are returned, and the memorial vessel. Cremation packages return your horse's ashes (Open Paddock returns a representative portion in a scatter tube; Heirloom returns a representative portion in a solid timber urn; Artisan returns the full ashes in a bespoke handcrafted timber urn). Sanctuary Private Interment is a whole-horse interment on our estate. Compassionate Removal & Natural Return is a green burial. Call Alby on 0493 814 474 for current pricing on any option.

What if my horse has already passed and is still on my property?

Call us immediately on 0493 814 474. We will mobilise straight away. Same-day collection is available. We are equipped for all terrain.

We require full payment before we leave our premises. We accept Afterpay, VetPay (15-minute approval), credit/debit card by phone, and direct bank transfer.

Do you offer custom quotes?

Our six packages are fixed-price so you know the cost before anything proceeds. For locations outside our service area or unusual requirements, we're happy to provide a custom quote.

Individual cremation optionsProperty, stable or vet collectionSpeak directly with AlbyAfter-hours available

Saddle and bridle resting on a paddock fence at dawn

For horses & large animals · NSW & SE QLD

You cannot choose the way they leave,but you can choose what happens next.

Private Horse Cremation & Large Animal Aftercare

When a horse has passed, what matters first is calm guidance — not a sales pitch. Phone Alby and we'll walk you through what happens next: dignified collection, your aftercare options, and what to expect on the day. No paperwork, no pressure — just clear answers from someone who has done this many times.

If your horse has passed, call now — we'll guide you through it.

Call Alby on 0493 814 474 Equine Grief Support

Our hours are 6am–6pm, and we're reachable for urgent matters around the clock — leave a message any time and we'll reply quickly.

Trusted by horse owners, vets & equine units across NSW & SE Queensland · SafeHarbour Verified

Welcome to Harbourside

We're Alby and Rachael — a family-run team caring for horses and large animals across NSW and South East Queensland. We believe every companion deserves an honourable final journey, handled personally, with no horse ever part of a batch.

From your first call to home again

1
Reach out, your way.
Call or text Alby any time — or use the form above and we'll take it from there.
2
Choose the package which best honours your companion.
Take your time exploring the options below — every package is designed to give your companion a respectful, individual farewell.
3
We arrange a time.
Together we find a time to bring your companion into our care.
4
We bring them into our care.
We collect your companion gently, from home or your vet.
5
We keep you with us.
We stay in touch and let you know where things are at, every step of the way.
6
They come home.
We arrange for your companion to come home to you.

Our hours are 6am–6pm; we're reachable for urgent matters around the clock — 0493 814 474.

Stephanie Thompson with her heart horse Dunk

★★★★★

“They dropped everything to be here the day I lost my boy.”

“I could not recommend Alby and Rachael highly enough to take care of your beloved fur family. The empathy and support they provide is second to none. They made an already difficult process so reassuring. And I trusted them to take the best of care of my boy. They are honest and prompt with communication. They dropped everything to be here the day I lost my boy and I’ll be forever grateful.”

Stephanie Thompson

Champion Jockey · Sky Racing Expert Commentator · Gold Coast QLD

With her heart horse “Dunk”

Alby and Rachael Koster together on their property at golden hour — ALBY & RACHAEL KOSTER
Founders — Harbourside Pet & Equine Cremations

Why we started Harbourside

A family business, built on one belief.

The animals we love notice the smallest changes in us. They seek us out, sit close, and stay. No words. No fuss. Just steady presence.

That kind of bond deserves careful, individual care at the end.

We’re Alby and Rachael Koster. We chose the name Harbourside on purpose: a harbour is a calm, safe place to head for when the weather turns — and that’s what we wanted families to feel when they called.

“Integrity is what happens when no one is watching. With a cremation, you’re trusting us with what you can’t see — so we hold ourselves to the same standard every time, for every companion in our care.”

When you call, we answer. No call centre, no strangers — just two people who chose this work on purpose. What you had was real, and what you’re feeling now matters.

One companion, cared for as an individual — from the first call to the moment they come home.

Call Alby — 0493 814 474 WhatsApp Us

Memorial Packages

Six ways to say goodbye — three private cremation options that return your horse's ashes with a Certificate of Guaranteed Individual Cremation, and three burial and removal options. Speak directly with Alby for pricing.

Artisan Legacy Collection

Full ashes return · bespoke handcrafted timber urn

Includes

Priority collection, any time, any terrain
Guaranteed individual cremation — your horse alone
Full ashes return, nothing withheld (6–20kg)
Bespoke handcrafted timber urn, made to size
Personalised engraved nameplate
Thoughtful memorial keepsake package

Full ashes return (6–20kg) in a bespoke timber urn, handmade in Coffs Harbour by a retired-carpenter friend of Harbourside from exotic timbers gathered over a lifetime, sized to your horse.

Choose this package

Chosen most often

Heirloom Timber Tribute

Representative portion returned · solid hardwood urn

Includes

Compassionate collection from your property
Guaranteed individual cremation
Approx. 4kg ashes in a solid hardwood urn
Antique brass corner detailing
Memorial keepsake
Certificate of Guaranteed Individual Cremation

A representative portion (approx. 4kg) returned in a solid Australian hardwood urn; the remainder laid to rest respectfully in our care.

Choose this package

Open Paddock Package

Representative portion returned · quality scatter tube

Includes

Compassionate collection from your property
Guaranteed individual cremation
Approx. 1.5kg ashes in a quality scatter tube
Matte black cylinder with brushed gold horseshoe
Hand-engraved gold nameplate with dates
Certificate of Guaranteed Individual Cremation

A representative portion (approx. 1.5kg) returned in a quality scatter tube; the remainder laid to rest respectfully in our care.

Choose this package

Sanctuary Private Interment

Private estate interment · keepsake photograph

Includes

Compassionate collection from your property
Whole-horse private interment on our estate
Strictly no public access
High-resolution keepsake photograph of resting location

Your horse is interred whole in a private plot on our estate grounds. Not cremated. No ashes returned.

Choose this package

Compassionate Removal & Natural Return

A natural, licensed green burial · no ashes returned

Includes

Professional, compassionate collection and transport
A natural, licensed green burial
Placement within a licensed green-waste sanctuary
Individual focus and respect throughout
Official confirmation of service completion

A natural, licensed green burial. No ashes returned.

Available in Central Coast, Sydney, Southern Highlands.

Choose this package

Professional Removal

Industry transport service — no memorial included

Includes

Professional removal by experienced handlers
Equipped for all-terrain and complex site access
Transport to licensed facilities, per NSW/QLD regulations
Discreet, unmarked transport on request

Transport only. No ashes returned.

Available in Mid North Coast, Central Coast, Sydney, Southern Highlands.

Call Alby for a quote

For locations outside our service area or unusual requirements, we're happy to provide a custom quote.

Flexible Payment Options

Pay the way that suits you

Afterpay and VetPay applications take just minutes — or settle by card over the phone or direct bank transfer. Whatever works, works.

Afterpay
Pay in four interest-free instalments.
Sign up
VetPay
15-minute application, flexible weekly repayments.
Apply now
Credit or Debit Card
Securely processed over the phone with Rachael.
Call to pay
Bank Transfer
Account details are sent with your invoice.
No fees

Rachael sends your invoice the moment your booking is confirmed — so there's no paperwork or pressure on the day we arrive.

Every horse is handled under SafeHarbour chain-of-care — one numbered tag, one chamber, one companion · How chain-of-care works

Google reviews

Reviews from horse owners, vets & equine professionals

115+ five-star Google reviews

Stephanie Thompson

Champion Jockey · Sky Racing Expert Commentator · Gold Coast QLD

“They dropped everything to be here the day I lost my boy.”

I could not recommend Alby and Rachael highly enough. The empathy and support they provide is second to none. They made an already difficult process so reassuring. They dropped everything to be here the day I lost my boy and I'll be forever grateful.

Kim Lo Ricco

Terrey Hills, Sydney

“The long travel they undertook to bring my Sam to his final resting place.”

I have no hesitation recommending Harbourside. Alby and Rachael provided care and respect for my horse and kept me informed every step of the way. I'm entirely grateful for the long travel they undertook to bring home my Sam to his final resting place in Terrey Hills.

Casey Binns

Veterinarian · Central Coast

“He kept me updated over the week and returned him in great condition.”

Alby was amazing from the start. We lost our beloved Skip suddenly. Despite a late afternoon phone call and a very long drive, he was on the road immediately. He kept me updated over the week and returned him in person.

Skye Thomas

Coffs Harbour

“Having an animal in your life for this length of time is a total blessing.”

I recently had to make the very difficult decision to put my best friend of 29 years, Ben, to sleep. The compassion and care I received from Harbourside was second to none. From the moment Alby introduced himself I felt like I just had another friend there helping me.

Read all Google reviews

Referring vets, organisations & equine units

Trusted by the NSW Mounted Police and leading equine vet practices across NSW & SE QLD.

See all referring practices›

Elite Equine Veterinary Services Brisbane QLD · Cooinda Park Equine Centre Mulgoa NSW · Newcastle Equine Centre NSW · Angus Banks Equine Clinic NSW · Midcoast Vets Nambucca Mid North Coast NSW · Kentaro Vet Services Coffs Harbour NSW · Hawkesbury Equine Veterinary Centre NSW · Grafton Mobile Vet Clinic NSW · Moonee Beach Vet Clinic Mid North Coast NSW

Service area

We come to you, across South East Queensland and most of NSW.

New South Wales

Sydney & Greater Sydney
Newcastle & surrounds
Hunter Valley
Central Coast
Blue Mountains
Southern Highlands
Mid-North Coast
Northern Tablelands & New England
Tamworth & surrounds
Far North Coast / Byron Bay
Northern Rivers / Clarence
Coffs Harbour Region
Port Macquarie / Manning / Taree

South East Queensland

Gold Coast & Hinterland
Brisbane
Darling Downs
Toowoomba & surrounds
Lockyer Valley
Ipswich & Somerset
South Burnett

Outside these areas? Call Alby for a custom quote — wherever you are, the most important thing to us is that your companion receives an honourable final journey.

Frequently asked