Aesir,
You say "...in most parts of the world you can land a helicopter anywhere you want if it is not on a private property or a populated area!"
I wonder if that is an accurate assessment.
In most parts of the world that I am familiar with you require / shoud have permission to land a helicopter be it on private or non-private land. Would you agree that in most countries all land belongs to someone, either a private concern or a national government?
I will agree with you entirely that in many places landing a helicopter anywhere is the 'norm' but I believe that the reality is that if you do not have the permission /approval / statement of 'no objection' from the land owner, leaseholder or government authority with jurisdiction over that land then you are risking a legal action against you for trespass (or worse). It is just that we are banking on “Joe Public” not knowing this or not caring enough to file a complaint.
I am pleased to see the culture of the ‘G&T’ is alive and well in your part of the world too!