While the movie is set in a real location, there are some significant differences between the film and the true story that inspired it. 

The film Wolf Creek is set in a real location, Wolfe Creek National Park, which is located in northern Western Australia. The park is a popular tourist destination, and while it is home to a meteorite crater, it has nothing to do with the story that inspired the film. The true Wolf Creek story actually happened about two thousand kilometres from Wolfe Creek National Park, and not in Western Australia, but in the Northern Territory. The events that inspired the film took place in 2001 near a remote town called Wauchope. Three backpackers, two British and one Australian, were abducted and brutally killed by a man named Bradley John Murdoch.

Despite what the film's gritty photos might suggest, the characters of Kristy, Ben, Liz, and Mick are entirely fictional. Director Greg McLean has admitted that two real-life cases in Australia, the cases of Ivan Milat and Bradley John Murdoch, inspired the movie. Ivan Milat was a notorious serial killer who murdered seven backpackers in the 1990s. Bradley John Murdoch, on the other hand, is the man responsible for the murder of Peter Falconio, a British tourist, and the attempted abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees. Therefore, while the film is not based on a true story, it is inspired by some of the most heinous crimes committed in Australian history.

While the film's location is not entirely accurate, the outback setting is one of the movie's biggest draws. Australia's outback is vast, remote, and often desolate. The wilderness can be unforgiving, and the arid climate can make it challenging to survive without proper preparation. The vastness of the outback also makes it an ideal setting for horror movies. From the depiction of the setting to the portrayal of its hostile inhabitants, the film paints a terrifying picture of the outback.

Wolf Creek's location and story have also put the spotlight on backpacking safety in Australia. The Australian government has since updated its warning to backpackers on safety in the outback, reminding them to register their travel plans, carry appropriate communication equipment, and, most importantly, exercise caution about who they befriend. The 2001 case that inspired the movie was a grim reminder of the dangers that can lurk in the remote corners of the world.

The film Wolf Creek's real location has caused confusion for those seeking to unravel the true story that inspired it. While the movie is set in a real location, nothing in the film is related to the actual story, which took place in the Northern Territory. However, the film has successfully captured the essence of Australia's outback, making it a riveting horror movie. The movie, which was inspired by some of the most heinous crimes in Australian history, has also put the spotlight on backpacking safety in Australia and reminds us that the outback can be a dangerous place for those who don't exercise caution.