Purpose of the Act
The Outdoor Recreation act of 1957 essentially protects the natural right for the public to use the nature for Outdoor Recreation at their own pleasure.
The Norwegian Outdoor Recreation Act established in 1957 has three main areas of importance that it wishes to enforce. These include: the differences between cultivated and uncultivated land, having the access and right to use the ocean and watercourses, and the ability to pick nick a camp in the areas you wish to use.
Cultivated vs Uncultivated land
Cultivated lands are areas or spaces that are privately owned by individuals for their own personal use, and ones where public access would lead to detrimental effects on the area, such as: farmyards, areas surrounding houses and cabins or young plantations. The act describes that during the periods of 30th April through 14th October, it is forbidden to cross or pass through cultivated land. However, in the period outside this time frame, when the area is frozen or snow-covered, public access to cross these areas is allowed, unless the owner has explicitly said that a crossing would result in unduly effects on the land.
Uncultivated land, in comparison, according to the act, is any land that does not fit the definition of the above paragraph. Additionally, access to these areas is granted all year round, as long as no damage to the area is created during the crossing or stay.
In comparing this to Australia, there is a lot more freedom in terms of exploring, hiking, climbing, kayaking etc as in Australia you are not allowed to use private land without permission. There are various public areas which we are allowed to use and explore: e.g. Morialta Conservation park is open for hikers and climbers all year round. However to camp in any area, permission and/or payment is always required.
Sea and Watercourses
The act describes very little ways that a person is permitted to use the sea and coastline for Outdoor Recreational activities. The oceans, rivers and lake systems are all described as uncultivated land which means that there is a free pass for the public to use them all year round.
Picnicking and Camping
It is stated explicitly in the act that picnicking and camping in cultivated land in prohibitied. However, in general, camping and picnicking in uncultivated areas is always allowed, as long as the user does not leave any damage to the area or is creating an inconvenience to others. Although this freedom is allowed on uncultivated land, one must not pitch a tent closer than 150m to a place of residence, such as a cabin or other inhabited house. Camping for longer than 2 areas in these environments is also not allowed without further permission from the land owner. However, in mountainous areas or those a distance from habitation, a longer stay is allowed without permission as long as the stay does not come with inherent damage to the surrounding area.
In Australia, you simply are not permitted to camp in the outdoors without permission. When permission is granted to sleep outside, this must be at an established campsite that is registered and you have paid to gain use of it. Any camping that is outside of an established campsite or is not permitted results in a hefty fine.
Reference:
Government Administration Services 1996, Act of 28 june 1957 no.16 relating to outdoor recreation, Government.no, viewed 5 May 2014, <http://www.regjeringen.no/en/doc/Laws/Acts/outdoor-recreation-act.html?id=172932>