Whilst exploring the south of Israel, travellers will find a visit to the Central Arava very rewarding.

The Arava, a region between Be'er Sheva and Eilat along the Jordan Rift Valley, was selected by UIA Australia in 1995 as Australia 's partnership region.

The Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 Program (P2K) links Jewish communities in the Diaspora and Israel in a shared effort to promote regional development in Israel, unity and Jewish identity.

What is currently being developed between the Arava and the Australian Jewish community is a sense of Jewish peoplehood through collaborative projects in various fields of endeavour such as business, education, community, tourism and the environment.

Major tourist attractions include:

• The Oriental Spice Route – the ancient route for carrying spices from Saudi Arabia to Rome.
  
• Camel and donkey rides along the Spice Route.
  
• 4-Wheel Drive , Hiking and Bike Riding routes.
  
• Guided tours specialising in the geology, botany and history of the region.
  
• Sapir Park (Jewish National Fund) – an oasis in the desert; regional flora, including ancient palm trees, beautiful lake, luxurious lawn and picnic area.
  
• Moah (Muit Awad) – a fortified Nabatean caravan stop.
  
• Visit a Bedouin tent for an authentic Bedouin feast.
  
• Sheizaf Reserve – rare plant and wild life.
  
• Hatzeva Field School – guided tours of the moshavim of the region, including the long-term research project on the Arabian Babbler (birds that have become used to human contact).
  
• The region also hosts an impressive range of Bed & Breakfast accommodations, arts and crafts shops as well as several types of alternative healing and cosmetic treatments.

The Arava is much more than the road leading to Eilat!