The road begins at the Old Princes Highway, Helensburgh[3] (Princes Motorway exit) and passes through Stanwell Tops to descend the steep Illawarra Escarpment at Bald Hill, the site of a spectacular lookout and hang gliding area.

The road then winds its way through the coastal villages of Clifton, Scarborough, Wombarra, Coledale, Austinmer and finally Thirroul where it meets the Princes Highway at the bottom of Bulli Pass.

Main Road 185 was later extended north along the former Princes Highway alignment to Waterfall on 25 October 2002.

Under this act, Lawrence Hargrave Drive retains its declaration as part of Main Road 185.

[10] Lawrence Hargrave Drive is entirely contained within the City of Wollongong local government area.