Wodonga police Leading Sen-Constable Josh Hudson said three families from Wodonga and Thurgoona were camping together at Bonegilla, near Conisbee Lane.

The families had left their camping site on Christmas Eve to go home for Christmas Day, returning at 10am yesterday to find $3500 worth of equipment stolen.

“It’s bizarre that it can happen in such an out of the way spot,” Sen-Constable Hudson said.

“It’s about three kilometres off the beaten track to get down there. It’s right in the middle of nowhere, but easily accessibly by the water.”

He said thieves left suspicious track marks leading into the water.

“It looks like they’ve come and gone by boat,” he said.

He said a Honda 2KVA generator, a black and grey camping fridge and a water heating unit were taken from one of the vans and a swag and custom-made tarp from a tent.

Thieves also tried to break into an outer box attached to the second camper van, where the generator was stored, but were unsuccessful.

Sen-Constable Hudson said it put a dampener on the families’ Christmas.

“They couldn’t believe it really,” he said.

“It’s not in the Christmas spirit.”

He said police have a number of strong leads.

But information from the public is needed and he urged anyone camping or passing through the area who may have seen something to come forward.

“We’re keen to hear any information from the public that may have seen anything suspicious coming off boats,” Sen-Constable Hudson said.

Police can be contacted on (02) 6049 2600.