Sue Marshall

Lessons from My Backpack

When Sue Marshall set out to travel the world at 51 years old—with nothing but a backpack and a spark of faith—her friends called her brave, bold, even a little crazy. But after two decades as a single mother raising two daughters on her own, she knew it was time to rediscover herself. What began as a visit to see her daughter working in Australia became an odyssey of courage, curiosity, and personal rebirth that spanned continents and transformed her outlook on life.

Author Sue Marshall exploring in Malaysia.

In Lessons from My Backpack, Sue shares her vibrant, humorous, and heartfelt adventures across Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, and Greece. From working carnival games in Perth to dancing under starlit skies in the Outback, from snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef to chasing her “Shirley Valentine” dream in Greece, every destination became both a classroom and a mirror. Her story is a reminder that reinvention isn’t bound by age—it’s a lifelong invitation to grow, laugh, and live with open arms.

Sue’s reflections are filled with practical wisdom and infectious enthusiasm. She writes about finding independence in hostel life, learning to trust her instincts, and discovering that even challenges—like sleepless nights on long-haul buses or getting lost in a foreign town—can become cherished memories. Her story captures the essence of what travel teaches us: resilience, gratitude, and the sheer joy of saying yes to adventure.

“Wherever you wander, let gratitude be your compass, wonder your guide, and adventure your song, so every journey lingers in your heart and becomes a memory that lasts forever.” — Sue Marshall

By the time Sue reached the Greek islands, she had found what so many travellers seek: a renewed sense of wonder and connection to herself. Watching the sunset over Santorini, dancing under moonlight in Mykonos, and laughing with strangers who became friends, she realized that travel wasn’t an escape—it was a homecoming.

Today, Sue is a proud grandmother of five and an advocate for following your dreams at any age. Her journey continues to inspire women around the world, especially single mothers who wonder if it’s ever “too late” to start over. Through her writing, she encourages others to take that leap of faith, to see life as an adventure, and to trust that the world is full of kindness waiting to be discovered.

✈️ Discover Sue’s full story in Wanderlust Chronicles: Transformative Travel Tales, available now on Amazon.