Greg McLean's horror title WolfCreek has finally opened in its Australian home territory, scoring a numberone opening on Thursday on an estimated $142,639 (AU$193,045).

The film had been delayed because of its similarities with a murder trial still in progress.

It is still barred from opening in the Northern Territory, where the trial of Bradley John Murdoch is taking place, though the area's scattered population would have had little effect on takings.

Village Roadshow Pictures distributed the picture in Australia onbehalf of The Weinstein Company and Wolf Creek is set to launch in North Americathrough the Weinstein brothers' Dimension Films label on Dec 25.

"We are so thrilled that the first international release from TheWeinstein Company opened in the number one spot at the box office and lookforward to continued success this weekend in Australia," The Weinstein Company'spresident of international Glen Basner said.

"We greatly appreciate everyone's hard work at Village RoadshowPictures to make this opening such an amazing success."

Roadshow national marketing manager Phil O'Neile told Screendaily: "It is fantastic to have Wolf Creek at number one on the Australian box office chart after a great performance on Thursday and following a week of strong sneak previews."

The picture premiered at Sundance and played in DirectorsFortnight in Cannes this year.

McLean's nextproject titled Rogueis currently in pre-production and will be released through Dimension Filmsworldwide. International sales commenced at AFM this week.