It was created due to formation of a new continental margin in the Mesozoic, followed by tectonic uplifting of the divide and then scarp retreat.

To the east, the coastal zone is relatively flat with fast erosional process rate and few landscape palaeoforms.

[3] The escarpment forms a series of bluffs along the eastern edge of plateau that stretches east from the Great Dividing Range.

These rivers have eroded the tableland between the Great Divide and the escarpment, sometimes leaving parts of the plateau standing out in isolation to the east.

[4] Escarpment retreat along the river valleys in the New England region appears to be progressing at about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) per million years.