After up to a week following the trails blazed by 19th-century gold-miners into inland Otago, the travellers converged on Wanaka for the parade and finale celebrations, which included a market day in Pembroke Park and a sold-out hoedown at the Lake Wanaka Centre.
Nearly 600 horse-riders, wagoners and walkers were greeted with applause from the welcoming crowds as they made their way down the length of Ardmore St during the noon parade, before heading to the final camp sites on their journey.
Walkers in the Winding Road to Wanaka Cavalcade were accommodated at the local rugby club rooms, while riders and wagoners stayed at the Wanaka Rodeo grounds.
Cavalcade co-ordinator Roberta Laraman, who is ready to retire from the role after 16 years, said trail bosses and travellers rated Wanaka as having one of the best parade routes and biggest parade turnouts in the history of the event.
"There were people the whole distance [of the parade route] so that was pretty amazing for them.
They were all feeling very proud after what they'd done and were all riding high and proud," Mrs Laraman said.
Whether first-timers or seasoned campaigners, most travellers this year agreed the opportunity to view scenery usually inaccessible to the public was the Cavalcade's greatest appeal.
Zelie Allan, of Oamaru, travelled in the Cavalcade for the first time this year with the light wagon group and said the experience was like being in a Western movie at times.
"It's countryside that a lot of New Zealanders will never ever see," Mrs Allan said.
This year's Cavalcade was the eleventh in a row for Rob McGregor, of Earnscleugh, who rode his horse alongside the heavy wagoners.
For him, it was the comradeship among the travellers that kept him coming back year after year.
"And you're away from the hustle and bustle. It's very relaxed."
