The family of six had poured much of their life savings into the much-needed getaway, but the dream turned into a nightmare when their beloved car was stolen in daylight.
The car was parked on a street on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula on March 9 when thieves used a key cloning device to steal it.
Little did the Kents know their car is one of the most sought-after targets for criminals, with thefts using security-busting technology increasing by about 250 per cent over the past three years.
"It's been incredibly stressful," Ms Kent told AAP.
"All of our savings had gone into this car. We saved over $80,000 for it, so it chewed up a lot of our savings that we'd had for the trip to do this lap."
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said 30 cars were being stolen using key cloning technology across the state every day.
He said it can take just 20 seconds for thieves to access cars when using the device.
"The advanced technology will override the security systems of the motor vehicles being stolen," Mr Hill told reporters on Monday.
"There is no doubt this methodology is rife in the criminal world and as a community, we need to work together to reduce car theft."
Nearly 850 LandCruisers were suspected to have been stolen using the technology in 2025, a rise from 241 two years earlier and just 89 three years ago.
It's a statistic Ms Kent is struggling to wrap her head around.
Stranded with their four young daughters, the family was forced to cut their trip short and is now arranging a rental car to return home to Brisbane.
"There's been a lot of pressure and we've had to deal with the insurance company and going back and forth," she said.
"We lost hats, water bottles, picnic blankets, child car seats, and so many things that I am trying to replace. Even my purse was in there, with all my cards, so we've had to apply for all that again.
"The car was stolen in broad daylight and they had no keys, so they've obviously got those machines to start the car."
Police later found the car in Dandenong, but it had been destroyed, with offenders letting off a fire extinguisher inside the vehicle, wiping away any potential evidence.
"We filled it up that morning as well, with $250 worth of fuel," Ms Kent said.
"That was the end of the trip, it's not the way you want to end it."
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