The Pioneers' Arrival Celebration steering committee chairman, the Rt Rev Dr David Coles, announced to about 100 residents and guests at the Queenstown Gardens that the WG Rees Heritage Trust would assist enthusiasts "who seek to preserve, promote and celebrate" the history of the resort.
Dr Coles said the First Settlers and Descendants incorporated society would reach out via the internet to the thousands around the globe who had ancestral links to Queenstown and encourage them to visit.
Registrations to the society are open.
Society patrons are Rosemary Marryatt, a great-granddaughter of William Gilbert Rees, and Adrienne Von Tunzelmann, a great-grandniece of Nicholas Von Tunzelmann, the two explorers who first arrived at Queenstown Bay in 1860.
Dr Coles said a new era of celebrating Queenstown's past had begun with the anniversary weekend and would continue with an annual heritage festival, to begin in March 2011.
He said Queenstown's history was an "underappreciated asset" and the steering committee looked forward to supporting the Queenstown Lakes District Council's heritage strategy.
The anniversary festivities began when boats on Lake Wakatipu saluted Mrs Marryatt and Ms Von Tunzelmann on Saturday morning.
About 60 costumed enthusiasts gathered on the lake-shore track below Remarkables Primary School, in Frankton, to hear broadcaster Dougal Stevenson, in the role of Lake Wakatipu Mail editor James B.
Bradshaw, tell the public the story of Rees and Von Tunzelmann's journey.
The group then followed Queenstown horse riders Kieran Condon, as Von Tunzelmann, and Brian Dagg, as Rees, who re-enacted the pioneer settlers' horse trek from Kawarau Falls to Queenstown Bay.
When the party reached Frankton Marina, Wakatipu Community Maritime Preservation Society chairman Tony Butson gave an update on the restoration of the historic boat shed and ticket office.
Mr Butson said more than 20 commercial boats operated in the gold rush era, which made Lake Wakatipu as busy as Queenstown Airport was today.
Queenstown Resort College adventure tourism programme manager John Cushen, dressed as cricket legend Dr William Gilbert (WG) Grace, batted while "Rees" bowled in a demonstration of a Victorian-era cricket match which never was.
Grace was the godson of Rees, but the keen cricketers did not play each other.
"Wine and golf tourism has grown and heritage can only make Queenstown a more attractive destination for a wider group of people," Mr Cushen said.
Queenstown Lakes Deputy Mayor John S.
Wilson, dressed as a Victorian dignitary, acknowledged tangata whenua as the first people to visit Wakatipu, when he officially welcomed the walking group and the community at the Queenstown Gardens.
Open days were held at the historic Freemasons Lake Lodge of Ophir No 85, on Marine Pde, and at a temporary celebration centre, on Earl St.
"It's wonderful we continue to recognise and further activate efforts to preserve and celebrate our heritage," Mr Wilson said.
