Gardening question about the Victoria, Australia area

[Newgirl Dani]

I did not place this in the Gardening section of Hobbies because there had not been a post there for over a year, not really sure if it would be seen.  I did also notice it was vegetable gardening and this is an ornamental (sort of) gardening question. 

I am curious if anyone knows or have lived in this area?  For 15 years now I have had an interest in a eucalyptus tree by the name of Eucalyptus Regnans, Mountain Ash, or Swamp Gum.  A very mighty tree, one of the two tallest trees in the world.  All this time I could not find a hardy enough seed strain to work in my area (N.W. Washington State).  Down to an average of 20F minimum was always the best I could find.  Well after all this time I've found seed that is good down to 10F, this is absolutely workable for me.  I am happy to say that on my front porch I have about 24 freshly germinated tree seedlings.  These will be ready for transplanting into pots in about a week.   

So I would love to hear any accounts of personally viewing these majestic and beautiful trees, any stories, passed down knowledge, or lore at all would be fantastic.  There is one specific thing I would be greatful to know for my own reference, and that is, what might the highest elevation you have seen them naturally growing at, and the actual name of the geographical place (if you remember).  I am fully familiar with metric so answer as you will.  I placed two pics for memory help.  My little gardener heart thanks you dearly.   Dani

[Newgirl Dani]

Just an added note, I now have a very reliable and nearby source for Tree Ferns as well.   

[judithlynn]

Hi Dani;
I am not particularly a gardener myself, but I do live in Victoria (on the Ocean). Here is an excerpt from Parks Victoria web site:-

The Eucalyptus regnans is an important timber tree and is widely used in building and in the paper industry. In Australia, timber is harvested from both natural and cultivated stands.
Where Do Mountain Ash Grow?
The species is native to wet sclerophyll forests (tall open forests) thriving on wet, south‐facing sheltered mountain slopes, and gullies in high rainfall areas including the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 45kms east of Melbourne, the Great Otway National Park, the Gippsland Forests in eastern Victoria and north‐eastern and southern Tasmania. One of the other Trangender women in Victoria - "Serenation" I believe lives close to the Great Otway National Park
Judith

[Newgirl Dani]

So COOL Judith, Thanks for the added places for me to google.  For you and anyone else who have or may want to respond, here is just a little more info.  I typed this out when it was late and was not feeling myself (I had to make a hospital emergency visit yesterday as I tore into a yellow jacket nest with my brushcutter and suffered between 20 and 30 bee stings, not the greatest day  🙁 )  Being a gardener is not important really and I've researched these trees much, so I'm hoping for stories of personal impact they have had on people seeing them, or any local lore that surrounds them that mostly only people born to the area would know.  I always like to know the history, medical useages, ect., type of stuff on trees I raise.  I germinate and grow (not sales) exotic and rare trees from all over the world and at this point I probably have over 550 different species growing, around 2000 altogether, with some now well over 50 foot tall.  So thanks Judith and I look forward to hopefully hearing more goodies.   Dani  P.S.  What a nice and beautiful place it must be that you live...nice!