2 Young Campers Found Dead After Weeklong Disappearance

21-year-old Shannon Lowden from Lilydale, and Caleb Forbes, 22, from Kilsyth, who embarked on a camping trip in Victoria's east on Friday and have failed to return. An aerial search has begun. AAP Image/Victoria Police

Two young campers who went missing on a trip in last week have been found dead in a vehicle in regional Victoria, Australia, local police have said.

The bodies of 22-year-old Caleb Forbes and his girlfriend 21-year-old Shannon Lowden were found in their car at about 11 a.m. on Friday, according to a police statement.

“Sadly, the pair were found deceased in their car on Trig East track, east of Thomson Dam about 11am,” the statement read. “Police will investigate the circumstances and prepare a report for the Coroner. Police would like to thank the local community and media for their assistance.”

Forbes and Lowden had set off Sept. 6 headed for the Thomson Dam and Walhalla area in West Gippsland in a green 1994 Nissan Patrol wagon.

They were notified as missing when Forbes failed to show up at work at Lowe Electrical two days later.

Searches by land and air started on Monday, with help from friends and family of the couple.

According to 9News, more than 100 people joined the search efforts which took place in Baw Baw National Park.

The news station reported that police believe the car had dropped off the track following initial investigations. Police also said the wagon may have become bogged in or snowed in, or could not run because of a fault, according to the station.

Inspector Shane Cashman said the car was found off the track about 5 kilometres east of Thomson Dam, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (the ABC). He noted that the Trig East track was “a very difficult track to negotiate.”

“It’s almost a sheer drop to the side and we will put some work into finding out … what has actually occurred to make that car leave the road,” Cashman said, reported the ABC.

“We’ve spoken to the family and they are understandably devastated.

“[It is] very, very difficult for everybody concerned, for Victoria Police and SES and all the volunteers.”

Cashman earlier told 3AW on Thursday that the pair’s disappearance was “totally out of character,” and explored a few scenarios in the possibility that they could still be alive.

At the time, he said the two could keep themselves warm with camping gear and have water to “keep them going” if they were in their car.

AAP contributed to this report.