A social-media campaign to raise money to bring back the body of an Australian woman who died while on holiday in Cambodia, has exceeded expectations, collecting more than $20,000.

Kristy Blackney, 24, died at the weekend while in travelling in Cambodia.

The Victorian woman reportedly drowned during a flash flood near Kampot, in southwestern Cambodia, on Sunday.

A campaign to bring back her body launched on Facebook on Monday, with the goal of raising $15,000.

Friends of Ms Blackney took to social media to share their condolences and tributes of a young woman with a “heart of gold”.

She was described as “a beautiful girl with an infectious smile that touched so many people’s lives”.

Australian authorities have confirmed a woman died in Cambodia, but declined to provide any further details.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian woman who died in Cambodia, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter,” it said in a statement.

Inverloch Kongwak Football Netball Club said in a statement that Ms Blackney played until 2010 and “was a valued and much-loved member of our junior netball club”.s