And not only are the trail's five wagons using technology of a bygone era, they are recapturing some of the spirit of the early pioneers.
They carry their own provisions, cooking as they go, and camping with their horses.
Yesterday, Marita Moynihan (75), of Invercargill, was thrilled to relive childhood memories after family members paid for her to ride on a wagon, starting at Middlemarch.
Mrs Moynihan has always taken an interest in the cavalcade, but never thought she would get to take part.
‘‘Its fantastic. The scenery is amazing. ‘‘I am riding in luxury . . . on a small wagon with rubber tyres pulled along by two lovely horses,'' she said.
It has been about 40 years since she rode ‘‘hacks'' on the farm she and her husband owned near Winton.
Mrs Moynihan (nee Hailes) has vivid memories of her father using draught horses on their family farm at Balfour, in Northern Southland before they were replaced by a Lanz bulldog tractor.
Wagoner Dave Murdoch, of Middlemarch, has been on most cavalcades since they began 16 years ago.
He was interested in wagons before the first cavalcade, but bought extra horses so he could take friends on the event.
He estimates his wagon is more than 100 years old. He restored the medium-sized wagon's Australian hardwood body, and retained the original ironwork after finding it in Waimate in the late 1980s.
Trail boss Tony Cumberbeach said there were five wagons and 20 riders on the trail.
‘‘I think it appeals to people because it is not an endurance event. It's a holiday. The horses get along at slightly faster than walking pace, at about 5kmh-7kmh, so there is plenty of time to admire the view.''
Cavalcade co-ordinator Roberta Laraman said there had been up to 10 wagons on the trail in previous years, but work commitments had stopped some regular wagon teams from attending.
‘‘It is a very authentic trail. They are carrying their own food, sleeping with the horses. There are no hot meals or packed lunches. It is fitting they will be on some of the old gold and stock routes - even the main highway was a wagon trail.''
The cavalcade will converge on Waikouaiti on Saturday.
