Urban's Aussie odyssey

COUNTRY music star Keith Urban is to return home for his first concert tour of Australia in nearly two years, announcing five shows across the country for May.

Urban will open his Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour in Brisbane on May 11 before taking his arena performances to Sydney on May 15, Melbourne on May 18, Adelaide on May 20 before finishing in Perth on May 22.

"I have so much at home to be thankful for, everyone that has supported me through the years, the warm embrace that we've received there," he said in a statement.

"I fully intend to return the love the best way that I know how - with a kick-ass show."

The 39-year-old singer has just recently completed a three-month stay at the Betty Ford Clinic in California for alcohol abuse.

He was last seen in Australia with his wife, Nicole Kidman, in December.

Urban had been due to present an award at November's ARIAs, but withdrew after he checked himself into rehab in October.

Tickets for his five concerts go on sale on February 15.