London, Feb 28: Despite not getting encouraging reviews from critics, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman's World War II epic `Australia' has become the second highest grosser of all time in their homeland.

The Baz Luhrmann-directed film was made in four years with a budget of 87.6 million dollars.

However, the high profile stars and the big production cost could not impress film experts, and the flick received a lukewarm response from them when it was released last November.

But still the negative reviews did not stop Australian movie buffs from flocking to cinema halls, where it went on to become the second biggest earning movie after `Crocodile Dundee'.

"The on-going box office success of Australia has been outstanding, and a unique testament to the way the film has been embraced by this country," the Daily Express quoted Twentieth Century Fox representative Marc Wooldridge as saying.

To date, Australia has raked in approximately 142 million pounds worldwide. (ANI)