The Norwegians, playing with energy and commitment, clawed their way back into the game and then imposed themselves on their visitors, aided and abetted by a mistake from goalkeeper Mat Ryan which allowed them to score a crucial third goal to put the game out of reach.
The Dutchman gave international debuts to Andrew Nabbout and Dimi Petratos and, as everyone expected, ditched the back three favoured by Ange Postecoglou in favour of a more traditional back four.
Goal hungry: Ola Kamara of Norway celebrates after completing his hat trick against Australia.
Photo: Cornelius Poppe
Bailey Wright, usually a centre back, was deployed on the right, with Mark Milligan, more often a midfielder, stationed centrally alongside Milos Degenek. Aziz Behich occupied his usual spot on the left.
Aaron Mooy was partnered by Mile Jedinak in the two central midfield spots, with Jackson Irvine in a more advanced role.
Nabbout was given the tough job of leading the line as the most advanced forward, Petratos on his left, Mat Leckie, earning his 50th cap, on the right.
The first real effort on goal from either side came from a long throw in the eighth minute, the ball falling to Fredrik Midtsjo, who shot over the bar.
Two minutes later Ryan had to make his first save when Ola Kamara seized on a long ball but snatched at his shot, the keeper dealing with it easily.
Norway's main approach was playing through balls into the centre, with their midfielders running on to knockdowns, but they tested Ryan again in the 14th minute with a neat move which saw Bjorn Johnsen's shot batted away by Ryan.
Australia had offered little in the opening period, so it was something of a surprise when they took the lead after 20 minutes from a set piece.
Nabbout's cross had forced a corner and – from a Mooy delivery – Irvine stole in between two markers to power home a header which Rune Jarstein in the Norway goal could only parry.
Rising up: Tore Reginiussen leaps for a header to take the lead for Norway at 2-1.
Photo: Cornelius Poppe
It was the Hull City midfielder's second international goal, his second from a header and his second from a set piece.
Australia settled after that and a Behich run and pass down the left found Mooy, whose shot was well held by Jarstein.
At the other end Johnsen held the ball up well, found Kamara but the forward blazed over. From a corner, Norway centre back Tore Reginiussen headed over as the hosts went in search of a leveller.
They got back on level terms ten minutes before the interval following a terrific run by Basel wide man Mohamed Elyounoussi – who slipped past Mark Milligan, got to the byline and pulled over a cross which Kamara converted.
Tough night: A tough debut for van Marwijk in his first game as Socceroos coach.
Photo: Terje Pedersn
Elyounoussi could have put Norway in front shortly after when the ball came to him in plenty of space on the left but he could only sky his shot.
The winger, his tail up at this point, then drove at the right side of defence where he was causing plenty of headaches for Bailey Wright and Milligan, only to be stopped by a Mooy interception before he could get a pass off.
Norway needed only two minutes of the second half to get their noses in front, and it was the big centre back Reginiussen, who had threatened from a set piece earlier in the game, that did the damage.
Norway captain Stefan Johansen floated a free kick from the left and Reginiussen escaped his marker, timed his run and powered home a header which Ryan could not keep out.
Wright made way for a third debutant, Aleksandar Susnjar, shortly after as van Marwijk shuffled his cards at the back, Milligan moving to right back with Susnjar going into the middle alongside Degenek.
Australia then had to scramble to keep out another Reginiussen header before Nabbout, who had worked hard to this point for little reward, broke smartly to relieve the pressure.
Ryan then played out from the back disastrously, his 56th minute attempt to find Jedinak with a quick pass falling at the feet of Norway striker Markus Henriksen. He gleefully accepted the loose ball and played a quick pass forward to Kamara who finished with aplomb.
Evasive action: Bjorn Maars Johnsen beats a pair of Australian challenges.
Photo: Cornelius Poppe
Jedinak made way for the energetic Massimo Luongo and Tom Rogic came in for Irvine as van Marwijk sought to conjure up an attacking threat from midfield, to little avail.
Nabbout's international debut came to an end after 66 minutes as Tomi Juric replaced him, but it took a timely interception from Degenek at the other end to clear Elyounoussi's dangerous cross as Norway looked for a fourth.
Van Marwijk made another change, with Petratos making way for Robbie Kruse as the Socceroos, porous at the back and lacking creative spark up front, tried to make something happen.
But all the creativity was being shown at the other end, and in stoppage time Kamara compounded Australia's misery when he slammed home his third and Norway's fourth goal to end a miserable night for van Marwijk and his coaching team.
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Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.
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