Police say thieves have used a wheelie bin to steal $200,000 worth of gold and silver bullion from the home of a war veteran on Brisbane's north side.

The thieves who robbed Corporal Lunt left behind several coins and a few bars of silver bullion. ( Queensland Police )

Thieves entered the home in Ellie Court in Upper Kedron sometime between 6:00pm on New Year's Eve and 3:00am on New Year's Day.

They broke into a safe which contained 80 kilograms of gold and silver bullion and coins and loaded the bullion into a wheelie bin to ferry it to their getaway car.

The bullion's owner, Corporal Christopher Lunt, had saved up the gold and silver from wages paid while he was deployed overseas.

Cpl Lunt, who is still serving in the Australian Army, says he was out of the house celebrating the new year when the robbery occurred.

He says he quickly realised something was wrong upon returning home.

"You could smell the house had bleach all through it," he said.

"We went into our bedroom and the bedroom had been upturned.

"I went to my safe and it had been cracked open."

The Enoggera-based war veteran had spent four months in Afghanistan during 2011 and seven months in Iraq in 2007.

He says he was only days away from putting his gold and silver collection into a safety deposit box.

"I've been investing in gold and silver for the last five years now. I had a bit saved up," Cpl Lunt said.

"It's just gut-wrenching for the first day of the year to come home to that.

"Basically, the life savings is just gone."

Anyone who may have noticed people acting suspiciously or unfamiliar vehicles in Ellie Court are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.