A special community event planned for Sunday will give residents and visitors one last opportunity to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold.
Queenstown Lakes District Council arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said the Gold 150 Community Picnic, to be held in the Queenstown Gardens from 2pm to 4pm, would offer a "relaxing finale" to the events of the anniversary year.
"We're hoping the sun will shine and everybody will pack a hamper and come and join us in the gardens for a good old-fashioned community get-together," Mrs Maxwell said.
Music for the first half of the picnic will be provided by the Queenstown Jazz Orchestra followed by the Masterblasters, after a short break for "official business".
Early birds at the picnic would receive one of 150 free cupcakes from Cup and Cake, and everyone present would be able to try their luck at panning for gold, Mrs Maxwell said.
"It's going to be a relaxed, informal afternoon in the Queenstown Gardens, a place whose existence is a tribute to the foresight of some of those first settlers who were drawn here because of gold," Mrs Maxwell said.
"It's a great opportunity to think about the origins of our community while at the same time enjoying the company of those who live here today."
Admission is free.
