This research project is a documentation of a historical geography of the adaptations to changes over time, amongst cotton communities across Australia. It has focused on the major challenges faced by the modern Australian cotton industry (1960s onwards), and strategies deployed to meet the challenges. Adaptation and adoption were the keys themes of this research project - the Australian cotton industry has a fast-paced history of development in Australia, and needed to be capable of rapid change. Cotton growers, associated research and development agencies, and cotton communities more broadly, have built an industry based on a capacity to adapt to local conditions, and test and adopt new technologies, as appropriate. Although not always a smooth journey, the adaptive capacity of the Australian cotton industry is notable, particularly from the early days of the modern industry. Although relatively new, Australia's cotton industry is now a world leader.The main challenges faced by cotton farming communities, that have driven and enhanced adaptation and adoption capacities include: a range from extreme natural events, major changes in water policy, pest and weed issues, environmental concerns, rapid changes in technology (including genetically modified cotton) (Cotton CRC, 2007) and socio-cultural challenges (Merrill and Pigram, 1984). Sociocultural challenges nclude adapting and integrating farming cultures, overcoming inefficiencies in harvest transport, maintaining community connections, forging researcher relationships with growers. A raft of foreseeable challenges include the vagaries of mining, particularly Coal Seam Gas mining, ongoing concerns about water and pests/weeds, and the uptake of new technologies, and the increasing corporatisation of cotton growing.The research used social science data generation techniques and a mixed methods format, including survey data generation, in-depth interviews and the inclusion of historical memorabilia, such as newspaper clippings and photos. The recollections of many of the industry's key players provided the bulk of the data, and provided material (video-recorded) for the production of a documentary DVD, which premiered at Narrabri, in New South Wales, in March 2012. This research is a starting point for future social research on the cotton industry in Australia.