The cavalcade left Brighton at 7.30am on the well-worn trail to the Tuapeka goldfields.
However, unlike their forebears, these travellers do not have their futures riding on the outcome of the three-day journey.
The riders are retracing the route in the lead-up to the Gabriel's Gully 150th anniversary, which starts in Lawrence tomorrow.
"It was just something we decided to do for the goldfields celebration," trail boss Murray MacMillan, of Cromwell, said.
"We'll camp overnight in woolsheds at Milburn and Table Hill."
The riders will arrive at Lawrence tomorrow and camp outside the township, before riding in at 10.30am on Saturday to start the weekend celebrations.
The discovery of gold at Gabriel's Gully in 1861 made Dunedin the first city of New Zealand and the influx of immigrants forged the city as it is today.
The Gabriel's Gully 150th anniversary starts in Lawrence tomorrow at the Gabriel's Gully Historic Reserve and runs until Otago Anniversary Day, on Monday.
Activities during the weekend include historic tours and displays, goldpanning competitions, music, visual art, drama, games and a Saturday night dance.
The "Layers of Gold" celebration will also be held in Dunedin during anniversary weekend.
The Gabriel's Gully 150th anniversary advertising feature published yesterday contained some errors.
Gates open to the Drama of the Tuapeka, to be held on March 18 at Gabriel's Gully Historic Reserve, at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
The Gabriel's Gully Historic Reserve open hours on Monday, March 21, are 10am-3pm.
