Planning on a 7-10 day trip with 7yr old son. Suggestions and ideas welcome.

Hi ladies,

We are travelling to New Zealand for 7-10 days in July... probably from July 23-Aug 3rd dates. We are coming from Dubai and would love to see various unique sights and Lord of the Rings localities and cover as much of New Zealand as possible.

Using google, I made the following plan, but need your help to decide how practical it is to get around.

1. Auckland
- Airport
- Auckland - Butterfly Creek (2 km - 0:10)
- Auckland City (20 km north - 0:30)
- Auckland City - Whale & Dolphin Safari at Hauraki Gulf Marine Park (2 km north - 0:10)
- Auckland - Bream Head Scenic Reserve (164 km north - 2:12)


2a. Coromandel (out of way)
- Waiau Kauri Grove (172km - 2:30)


2b. Hamilton
- Hamilton - Hamilton Gardens (129km - 1:40)
- Waitomo - Waitomo caves (74 km - 1:00)
- Hamilton Matamata - Hobbiton Film location (88 km - 1:10)


3. Rotorua
- Te Puia at Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley (80 km - 1:00)
- Lake Okareka Walkway or Horse Trekking (12 km - 0:20)


- Tongariro National Park (193 km - 2:30)
- Ohakune (2.5 km - 0:05) (Stay for access to snow)


- Kaitoke Regional Park (273km - 3:45)


4. Wellington (50km - 0:45)
- Old St. Pauls (2km - 0:10)
- Cable Car (& Carter Observatory) (2km - 0:10)
- Mt. Victoria (2km - 0:10)
- Te Papa National Museum (2km - 0:10)
- Weta Cave (8km - 0:20)
- Zealandia / Wellington Zoo (6 km - 0:12)


Return to Auckland OR Return to Australia OR Continue on ferry to South Island.


5. Blenheim
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre (135 km- 4:20 + ferry)
(DS loves planes and aviation)


6. Nelson (out of way)
- Seal colony enroute (115 km - 1:30)


7. Christchurch (315 km - 4:02)
- Air Force Museum (10km - 0:15)
- Open Top Bus


Return to Australia OR Continue on Queenstown.


- Aoraki Mt Cook (309km 3:50) (Experience snow here?)
- Twizel (40km 0:30)


- Wanaka (145km - 1:45)
- Puzzling World Wanaka (3k - 0:05)
- Lake Wanaka Horse Trek (5k - 0:10)


8. Queenstown (70 km - 1:10)


Return to Australia from Queenstown OR Visit Fiordland.


9. Fiordland National Park (235km - 3:50)


Return to Queenstown and return to Australia.

 

Also, what would you suggest please for:
1) Cheap family accommodation for me, hubby & son
2) Practical cheap food options on the way.. besides Pizza hut & Kfc.
3) Best & cheapest way to get around? My husband will be getting a UAE issued international Driving license, so we might try to take a car, or bus or train?