Gold 150 and Arrowtown 150 co-ordinator Julie Hughes, of Arrowtown, said the six-month celebrations programme was growing all the time, with an even bigger line-up for the second half of the year.
"The next six months are huge and all up we have $430,000 of events planned for the celebrations planned thanks to funding from the Central Lakes Trust," Mrs Hughes said.
Highlights included the "Dusty Trails to Cromwell" Cavalcade, which will see about 550 people descending on Cromwell from all directions by foot, bike and wagons from February 18.
On February 25, the costume-clad revellers will make it to their destination for a family fun day and "huge hoe-down" to celebrate their journey.
Also looming large are the Nevis Gold 150 celebrations, starting on March 9 in the Nevis Valley, which includes gold-panning, blacksmith demonstrations and a replica of the old post office.
"It's an amazing place in there and perfect timing to go in," Mrs Hughes said.
• For a full and frequently updated list of events, visitgold150.org.nz
The calendar
February-October
• Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust Schools Gold Panning. Visits to the region's schools to teach children the techniques of gold panning, working towards holding inter-school competition for the OGHT New Zealand Gold Panning Championships in Arrowtown in October.
February 6
Millennium Track Walk. Starting at 9.30am, a 13km walk along the Millennium Track from Alexandra to Clyde, looking at historical points of interest along the way.
February 18-February 25
• OGHT "Dusty Trails to Cromwell" Cavalcade. Starting from trails around the Central and Lakes Districts, riders, walkers, and light and heavy wagons will converge on Cromwell on February 25 for a family fun day and "huge hoe down".
February 19
• Rotary 4WD trip to the Old Man Range. The Rotary Club of Alexandra's fundraising 4WD trip takes in remote gold-mining sites in the Old Man Range, including a visit to the Alpine Reef stamper battery.
March 3, March 9, March 16 and March 23
• Gold Lecture Series. Four Alexandra lectures focusing on the discovery of gold, different types of mining and the effects of mining in Central Otago.
March 3
• Miners' Dinner at Speargrass Inn. A gold miner's feast of warm bread, slow cooked wild rabbit and apple crumble.
March 9-March 11
• Nevis Gold 150 celebrations. Held in the Nevis Valley, including displays set up focusing on the history of goldmining, Nevis families and artefacts, blacksmith demonstrations and a replica of the old post office.
March 11
• The Nevis Valley 4WD tour. A tour visiting various gold mining sites in the Nevis, travelling over the Pylon Rd from Clyde.
March 17
• L & M Mining Gold Mine. See the "first-of-its-kind floating gold recovery plant" in operation at the modern L & M Mining gold mine in Earnscleugh.
March 31
• Dr James Ng and screening of Illustrious Energy - launch of Chinese Fortnight. Dr James Ng speaking on Chinese mining and celebrating the Chinese culture, featuring a screening of film Illustrious Energy and a taste of Chinese food and drinks.
April 1-April 15: Chinese Fortnight
• April 1 - Bus tour to Ophir, Moa Creek Cemetery, and other historical sites.
• April 13 - Lunch time lecture by Malcolm Macpherson "Opening Doors in China - Sister City Experiences".
• April 15 - Bus tour to Northburn gold diggings and the Cromwell Cemetery.
April 6-April 8
• Cromwell Arts and Crafts Society exhibition. A variety of arts and craft in an exhibition that celebrates the gold-rush era.
April 20-April 29
• Arrowtown Autumn Festival. The annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival joins the 150th celebrations for the discovery of gold.
April 27-May 28
• Russell Clark Murals exhibition. In 1936 Russell Clark was commissioned by the City Hotel Dunedin to produce a mural of panels depicting the story of the gold-rush to Central Otago.
May 5
• Freemasons in Dunstan over the past 150 years. Lodge Dunstan opens its doors to showcase the role it played in the Dunstan community.
June 2
• Dunstan House gambling saloon night. The Gambling Saloon will host a variety of gambling tables, with entertainment from the Buckingham Belles and ending with a "funny money" auction.
June 23-24
• OGHT annual meeting and field weekend. All welcome to attend a midwinter gold-themed field event.
