Halloween catching on in Australia

Earlier in our trip, folks told us that people in Australia don't really celebrate Halloween. However, today as we were returning from a trip to a nearby mountain, we saw some children dressed up. I thought they were going to a party or wedding, but then we realized they were in costume. Later, we went to a party and found many children out trick or treating in that community. The interesting twist is that this is all before 6:00 p.m. I don't know if this is occurring all over Australia, but this area near Hobart, Tasmania seems to have picked up on Halloween.